Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S., responsible for nearly 1 in 5 cancer diagnoses. All forms of tobacco—cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and snuff—contain dangerous toxins and highly addictive nicotine. Understanding the risks can help you make informed choices about your health.
Key Facts About Tobacco Use
- Cigarettes: Cause 90% of all U.S. lung cancer deaths and increase risk for cancers of the mouth, throat, bladder, kidney, stomach, cervix, colon, rectum, and blood (acute myeloid leukemia).
- Cigars & Pipes: Linked to cancers of the mouth, lips, throat, esophagus, and lungs—even without inhaling. One large cigar can contain as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes.
- Chewing Tobacco & Snuff: Contain 25+ carcinogens and are tied to oral, pancreatic, and esophageal cancers, often starting with precancerous patches like leukoplakia.
- Chemicals: Tobacco smoke contains 7,000+ chemicals, including at least 70 cancer-causing agents (like cyanide, lead, and arsenic).
- Secondhand Smoke: Harmful toxins and carcinogens from both cigarettes and cigars put nonsmokers at risk, too.
- Quitting Helps: Setting a quit date, seeking support, joining cessation programs, and talking with your doctor can greatly increase success in quitting.
Tobacco in all forms carries devastating health risks—not just for users but for everyone exposed. Yet quitting is always possible and always worthwhile. Every step toward quitting—whether it’s setting a quit date, reaching out for support, or exploring treatments—is a step toward reclaiming your health and protecting those you love. Remember: it’s never too late to choose life over tobacco.
**Reducing access to flavored tobacco products decreases the likelihood of peer pressure to try tobacco.**
Reference:https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/cancer-and-tobacco
